Juz 26: Al-Aḥqāf to Adh-Dhāriyāt 30
Section 17 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
Surah Qaf and Adh-Dhariyat: Signs and Warnings
Surah Qaf opens with the mysterious disjointed letter "Qaf" followed by an oath by the Glorious Qur'an. This powerful beginning immediately draws attention to Allah's revelation and establishes the authority of the divine message. Allah then transitions to addressing the core issue that troubled the disbelievers - resurrection after death:
ق وَالْقُرْآنِ الْمَجِيدِ
“Qāf. By the glorious Qur'ān!”
The disbelievers express astonishment at the concept of resurrection, questioning how they could return to life after their bodies have decomposed in the earth. Allah responds to this doubt by presenting His ultimate knowledge and creative power. In verse 16, Allah affirms His intimate knowledge of human beings:
وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ وَنَعْلَمُ مَا تُوَسْوِسُ بِهِ نَفْسُهُ وَنَحْنُ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ حَبْلِ الْوَرِيدِ
“And indeed We have created man, and We know whatever thoughts his inner self develops, and We are closer to him than his jugular vein.”
This profound verse establishes Allah's complete knowledge of humanity - not just our outward actions but even the whispers of our inner consciousness. Allah's knowledge transcends all barriers, being closer to us than our own jugular vein. In this remarkable declaration, Allah establishes the foundation for accountability - nothing is hidden from Him, not even our most private thoughts.
The surah then vividly depicts the reality of death and resurrection. Allah warns that the trumpet will be blown, and all will stand before Him for judgment. The imagery is striking and meant to awaken hearts:
وَجَاءَتْ سَكْرَةُ الْمَوْتِ بِالْحَقِّ ذَلِكَ مَا كُنتَ مِنْهُ تَحِيدُ
“And the stupor of death has (to) come with truth. That is what you tried to escape.”
Allah addresses the plight of the disbelievers with terrifying directness in verse 30:
يَوْمَ نَقُولُ لِجَهَنَّمَ هَلِ امْتَلَأْتِ وَتَقُولُ هَلْ مِن مَّزِيدٍ
“The Day when We will say to Jahannam (Hell), "Are you filled up?" and it will say, "Are there any more?”
This personification of Hell asking for more inhabitants conveys the severity of divine justice. Yet immediately following this frightening imagery, Allah balances it with the promise of Paradise for the righteous:
وَأُزْلِفَتِ الْجَنَّةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ غَيْرَ بَعِيدٍ
“And the Paradise will be brought close to the God-fearing, no longer distant.”
The contrast is stark - Hell eager for more inhabitants while Paradise is brought near to the righteous. The righteous are characterized as those who fear the unseen and come to Allah with a heart turned in complete devotion.
Surah Adh-Dhariyat continues these themes, beginning with a series of oaths by natural phenomena including the winds in their various functions:
وَالذَّارِيَاتِ ذَرْوًا. فَالْحَامِلَاتِ وِقْرًا. فَالْجَارِيَاتِ يُسْرًا. فَالْمُقَسِّمَاتِ أَمْرًا
“By the winds that scatter dust, and by those that bear heavy weight, and by those that flow with ease, and by those who distribute the Command.”
These oaths lead to the definitive statement:
إِنَّمَا تُوعَدُونَ لَصَادِقٌ
“Surely that which you are promised is true.”
The surah then describes the qualities of the righteous who will attain Paradise - they sleep little at night, engaging in prayer and seeking forgiveness in the pre-dawn hours:
كَانُوا قَلِيلًا مِّنَ اللَّيْلِ مَا يَهْجَعُونَ. وَبِالْأَسْحَارِ هُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ
“They used to sleep but little in the night, and in the hours before dawn, they would seek forgiveness.”
Another key attribute mentioned is their generosity:
وَفِي أَمْوَالِهِمْ حَقٌّ لِّلسَّائِلِ وَالْمَحْرُومِ
“And in their wealth, there was a right for the one who asks and for the one who is deprived.”
The surah concludes with an important spiritual insight in verse 22:
وَفِي السَّمَاءِ رِزْقُكُمْ وَمَا تُوعَدُونَ
“And in the sky is your sustenance and that which you are promised.”
This verse reminds believers that their provision comes from Allah - not just material sustenance through rain and celestial bodies, but all the blessings that support human life. It emphasizes our complete dependence on Allah and reinforces trust in His wisdom and care even amidst life's challenges.